The Advantages of Using Acrylic Garage Floor Sealers

Sealing a person’s garage floor seems simple enough but then he has to consider what kind of sealer that he wants. There are many different types of sealers – epoxy, acrylic, penetrating sealers, and so much more. Protecting a person’s garage floor from the elements, spills, and cracks seems like hard work, but it only takes a few assessments to figure out the best sealer to apply to the concrete. Sealers are for those with tight budgets and don’t want to spend so much looking for garage floorings to cover up their floor. Among the cheapest but still very effective types of sealers in the market today are acrylic sealers.

While some people want their garage floor to be decorative and attractive, there are those who just want their concrete floors to look polished. Acrylic sealers give garage owners that look while still protecting the concrete floor. Some of the benefits that acrylic sealers give a homeowner are:

This means that the sealer will make the garage floor easier to clean, much like how wiping the spell off a kitchen floor just needs a mop or rag. Having the floor mildew and mold resistant means that the concrete will last a long time, while rendering it dust-proof makes sweeping up dust bunnies very simple instead of having to scrub them off the concrete.

It will also protect the garage floor from hot tire pickups, though gasoline or brake fluid may need to be wiped up immediately, as it could still stain the concrete or break down the sealer (meaning that the homeowner needs to reapply it).

Acrylic Floor Sealers Makes The Floor Breathable

The good thing about acrylic garage floor sealers is that it allows the concrete to still breathe. Some houses are built on top of ground water and the dampening of the concrete becomes an issue. Sealers that use epoxy or a floor that’s been painted will cause the surface to delaminate when they become damp. Acrylic sealers prevent delamination while still protecting the floor from the elements.

Most experts recommend using acrylic garage floor sealers on undamaged concrete floors, as the blemishes will be highlighted after application. Acrylic sealers also cannot be applied to painted garage floors or floors with epoxy coverings, as it will not adhere well to the surface. However, stained or dyed concrete is okay for application and the finished work will either have a glossy or matte finish, depending on the type of acrylic sealer that the homeowner used. The acrylic protective coating could also get slippery when wet depending on the finish (it should be noted that a glossy finish is more slippery than a matte finish). If a homeowner wants to ensure that the garage floor will not be slippery, experts recommend that some non-slip additives be added to the mix before application. This will affect the finished look of the work, however, but will not impede the acrylic sealer’s protective coating.

The Types of Sealers

There are two types of acrylic sealers that a homeowner needs to consider – solvent-based or water-based.

A water-based acrylic sealer uses the water as a carrier for the acrylic chemicals. The sealer is left behind when the water evaporates. Solvent-based sealers will create a darker appearance on the concrete when it dries. Solvent-based sealers also need to be applied carefully, as the chemicals within them are highly flammable. If a homeowner chooses to use a solvent-based sealer, he should take care that nothing within the garage will be able to spark a flame. Whichever sealer a person decides to use, he should read the instructions carefully and check if the ingredient quantities are within the local regulations.

It’s also important to note that either type of sealer is fairly thin, and would have to be reapplied every two years. A homeowner also has to know if his garage floor is frequently exposed to sunlight, as a non-UV protectant sealer will cause the concrete floor to turn yellow.

Applying the Acrylic Sealer

One of the tasks that need to be accomplished before the acrylic sealer is applied is to make sure that the garage floor is thoroughly cleaned. Any stains, spills, and dust must be cleaned up, and for floors that are really glossy, experts recommend acid etching the surface before applying the sealer just to be sure.

The homeowner now has the option of using a roller or a garden sprayer to apply the sealer. A thin roller is all right, as long as none of the fibers will stick to the surface of the concrete while the acrylic sealer is being applied. A low-pressure garden sprayer ensures that the coats of sealer is distributed evenly. Most recommend two coats of acrylic sealer and to keep the coats thin. Thick coats tend to form air bubbles or have an uneven amount of protection in some places. It’s important to check if the product being used does not have any solid materials over 25% as the coats will be thicker and harder to apply to the concrete floor.

Cost

Acrylic sealers could cost as little as $40 per gallon to as much as $80 per gallon. For a normal-sized garage, only around 2 gallons of acrylic sealer is needed. Most would recommend staying away from local acrylic sealers that could be bought in the area, and instead stick to the high-quality sealers available online. Quality online flooring stores and manufacturers are easily to search for online, and a person could also look up customer reviews about a certain product before buying. The cost and the quality of the finished work will be worth it.

For their cheap price tags, acrylic garage floor sealers will not only make a person’s floor look attractive, but protects fairly well as other types of sealers. If a person’s floor is currently unsealed and unprotected, it’s worth the cost and time to purchase an acrylic floor sealer – the application would take just one weekend and lasts for a good amount of time.